How Have Church Chairs Changed Over The Years?
The architecture and style of churches have undergone a multi-faceted series of evolution and changes throughout the centuries, from before the Medieval Era on to the modern age. It goes without saying that as church life itself changed and evolved through history, so did the seating inside the church. It is an interesting - and perhaps under-examined - study to consider the evolution of church chairs over the years.
Early Churches and Chairs
The very first church buildings were built in the third century, about 200 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus. Before this, public worship happened in outdoor open areas, with the faithful either standing or kneeling on the ground during worship. These structures were quite humble, as they were essentially similar to residences and doubled as synagogues. There was no dedicated seating in these early churches. In fact, it wasn't until significantly later - during the Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century - that churches began to feature pews and seats for the congregation.
These early pews were "closed" pews-seats and were reserved for a specific group or even individual. Seating was not open to everybody, and so the current concept of free seating in a church was not in place. These early pews-seats were quite simple in design and structure. The church was not necessarily interested in investing a lot of money towards building and furnishing of these chairs.
Church Chairs: For Rent?
Over time, churchgoers began to demand rights to chair seating during worship and they were granted these rights by church officials. However, there were limitations set. For example, an official retained the ability to reject a person from a seat if they were deemed undeserving of unworthy of rest. Also, churchgoers were prohibited from bringing in their own chairs. Interestingly, most of these church chairs were made available by the church on a rental basis.
Growing Demand
By the 18th and 19th centuries, more advancements had been made. Church congregations grew in population and, hence, the demand for seating also grew. However, still, in the United States and across Europe, limits were set on sitting, kneeling, and standing privileges during service. It may seem hard to imagine from a modern perspective, but it is interesting to realize that the ecclesiastical court and experts in canon law were often called in to settle matters concerning seating disputes, seating space, and church pew availability in churches as recently as the 19th century. The church chairs from this period were made from wood - usually beech, elm, oak, or American ash.
Modern Times
By the 20th century, seating during church services had advanced to a point where free-seating is virtually universal. Church chairs in modern churches can vary widely in design, but are still usually made from wood, finished with a lacquer polish, and often topped with a leather or cloth cushion for comfort.
For reference: http://www.chairtex.com/church_chairs.html
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